Strategic Planning

Diet-doctors-supplements -medications and recipe

I cannot determine how I’m going to feel from hour to hour much last day today. Having a plan is important even if any type of schedule and being able adhear to it can be completely impossible at times. Whether it is the mental confusion, brain, fog, or fatigue, not even mention the body pain. Of course, all this leads to struggles with depression, anxiety and all over well-being

Strategic Planning

Parking

Going somewhere, not knowing if there an open space to park, I may have to get dropped off in the front entrance of the place I’m going to. If that’s not an option, I may leave if I’m too tired or in pain to walk far that day. Even if I do walk far on a good day, I often pay for it the next day. Chronic illness and disability can find ways to knock you down right when you think you got it all together. It makes life more complicated because of the tedious strategic planning involved.

Doctors

I currently work with three doctors. I have my primary care physician; I have my liver specialist and I also work with a functional medicine doctor. Along with these doctors I also see a physical therapist/body specialist and a LCSW for therapy and sometimes an acupuncturist. It has taken some time, years in fact, together a group of doctors that I trust. If your doctors re not listening to you, then you need to find another one.

Medication

Current medication is prednisone, as soon as blood work is under control the plan is to start Azathioprine

Predinsone is in a class of drugs known as Corticosteroids they are synthetic analogues to our own cortisol, only much more powerful. Among its many charms of this steroid is that it alters the way your body distributes fat, you have what is called moon face. Your face gets very big and around and so does your stomach. That’s just the physical attributes of this medication. Is a dangerous drug and not wise to be on for any length of time. it destroys your bones and has an adverse effect on your adrenal glands among many other side effects. .

While they effectively dampen inflammation and its symptoms, the unfortunate trade-off they come with is a reduced ability to fight infectious agents. In these times, that can be scary. To add to that side-effect, they promote nutrient depletion. According to the Natural Medicines Database, corticosteroid drugs such as prednisone deplete calcium, vitamin D, chromium, zinc, potassium and magnesium from the bodies of those who use them. Meanwhile, the drug information resource Clinical Pharmacology also includes the nutrients folic acid, vitamin A and vitamin C on their list. All together, these nutrient depletions may cause or amplify the drugs’ side effects, including water retention, increased blood pressure, reduced bone density and high blood sugar. What’s more is that some of these nutrients are vitally important for immune function, particularly zinc, vitamin C and vitamin D. For these reasons, it would be wise to ensure adequate intake through supplementation.

Diet, supplements and strategic plan

This time around I have more education from the Functional Medicine Doctor and experience with the medication to make a strategic plan for myself. I now add supplements to my daily routine to counter what prednisone depletes. In the morning I take 2 multi vitamins and a B-Complex. In the afternoon I take another B-Complex and I also take Vitamin B5, pantothenic acid to help with Prednisone symptoms and withdrawals I also take Vitamin c, a powder that helps me sleep and Melatonin.

Digestive enzymes I take these to help my body digest fats and proteins more efficiently and this make its easier for my live to process.

High protein, low fat diet is what I need to be on. My goal is to have 100 grams of protein and at least 80 oz of water a day. My body needs Protein for energy, problem is I’m not much of a protein eater. Meeting my protein is the hardest part for me, I don’t’ really like meat or eggs. Luckily, I love to cook and have altered recipes and added protein drinks.

Exercise is of the utmost importance but honestly most of the time I have to force myself. Getting exercise is not something I enjoy or want to make time for. As much as I don’t feel like it I know it’s important to exercise everyday. The ultimate goal would be to walk 30 minutes every day. If I can do 20 minutes three times a week and then get on the rowing machine and do at least 30 rows in between I feel like I’m doing good. Really just getting into the routine of doing some kind of exercise every day no matter how long or what it is.

Schedule A Schedule LOL!!! Oh if only. This is more of a goal or outline each day is determined by the symptoms of the day

Don’t sleep too late to get medicine down early enough. Up by 8 o’clock Eat some breakfast take my medication

Zombie out

Prednisone kicks in

Get stuff done

Lunch take - more supplements

Nap

Patti’s Protein Oat Flour Bread

This is my original recipe so if you share it, I would appreciate it if you would please give me credit. This is one of my favorite breakfasts. Low sugar, low fat, gluten free protein bread.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ Cups Oat Flour (You can make oat flour by placing 2 ½ cups rolled oats in a high-powered blender or a food processor. Blend unit it turns into a fine powdery flour, about 30 seconds - 1 minute )

• 2 teaspoons ground flax seed in 3 Tables spoons warm water, let set for 10-15 min

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¾ cup vanilla 20 grams protein low fat yogurt (try flavored yogurts, I like half part berry and half vanilla)

• ½ cup milk (or non-dairy milk)

• 2 large eggs

• ½ cup applesauce

• 2 teaspoons vanilla (can be omitted with the flavored yogurt but I add it)

• ¼ cup honey

• 1 cup quick oats (adds a nice texture)

Optional: you can add nuts, cinnamon or other favorite spices if you want, I like it plain.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease a loaf pan with oil or butter of choice.

2. Place dry ingredients in a bowl and mix.

3. Make a well in center of the dry ingredients and add the eggs and remaining liquids and whisk.

4. Incorporate into the dry mixture and mix well. The batter will be thin

5. Add remaining 1 cup quick oats and mix well

6. Pour in to prepared loaf pan and bake 50-55 minutes, until a long wooden spear comes out without wet dough.

7. Alternative; place all ingredients in a food processor or blender, mix well and then add additional oats and pulse 2-3 times.

This is easy to undercook so watch carefully.